Bihar MLC elections: Opposition parties allege malpractices as counting begins
Congress, RJD and Jan Suraaj candidates raise concerns over the absence of CCTV cameras inside counting halls, while Patna DM says videography is being conducted as per EC guidelines
Counting is underway on Tuesday (October 27) for biennial elections to eight Bihar Legislative Council seats, with opposition parties alleging malpractices in the process, officials said.
Since voting was held on ballot papers, counting trends are not available yet, they said.
The polls, held on October 23, will decide the electoral fate of 90 candidates in four graduates’ constituencies and 60 in four teachers’ constituencies.
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Purnea District Magistrate Anshul Kumar said the counting started at 8 am for the Kosi graduates seat and agents of candidates were present on the premises.
"The seals of ballot boxes were opened in the presence of counting agents. The counting process is going on. Results can be expected in the evening or on Wednesday morning," he said.
Opposition alleges counting irregularities
Congress' Patna teachers constituency candidate Sanjay Yadav held a protest outside the counting centre at Bankipur school, alleging malpractices and the "absence of CCTV cameras" in the counting hall.
"Electoral malpractices have been reported. CCTV cameras have been installed outside the counting hall, but no device was placed inside the hall. It is an attempt to orchestrate malpractices," Yadav told PTI Videos.
RJD’s candidate for the Patna teachers’ constituency, Sanjeev Kumar Singh, also alleged that the district administration had made arrangements to facilitate “irregularities”.
Jan Suraaj Party candidate Anuj Singh said he would lodge a complaint to the Election Commission over "absence of CCTV cameras inside the counting hall".
Reacting to the allegation of absence of CCTV cameras inside the counting hall, Patna District Magistrate Kundan Kumar said, “Videography is being done in MLC elections instead of installing CCTV cameras.”
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“We are strictly following the guidelines of the Election Commission of India. All the candidates have already been briefed about the standard operating procedures,” he said.
JD(U)'s national spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad exuded confidence that the NDA will win all eight legislative council seats. "People's blessings are with us. They have faith in the trustworthy images of former CM Nitish Kumar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi," he added.
(With agency inputs)